The OECD and Southeast Asia

For over 25 years, the OECD and Southeast Asia have developed an enduring and mutually beneficial relationship. They have been working closely to facilitate policy dialogue, the dissemination of good practices and mutual learning in areas such as investment, education, inclusiveness, sustainable infrastructures, good governance, access to market and fiscal policy.

In 2007, OECD Ministers identified Southeast Asia as a region of strategic priority for the Organisation. In 2014, the OECD Southeast Asia Regional Programme (SEARP) was launched at the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. The Programme aims to support domestic priorities, policy reforms and regional integration efforts in Southeast Asia.

In 2018, SEARP held its first Ministerial Regional Forum and the Fourth Steering Group Meeting on 8-9 March, in Tokyo, Japan. Under this occassion, Japan and Indonesia handed over their Co-Chairmanship to Korea and Thailand. The next Forum of the SEARP is scheduled to take place on 11-13 March 2019, in Paris, France.

The 2019 Forum on "Connecting Southeast Asia" addressed the issue of connectivity in the region. High-level participants included the OECD Secretary-General, OECD Chief of Staff and G20 Sherpa, Ministers and Deputy Ministers from Southeast Asia and OECD member countries along with representatives from partner organisations such ASEAN, APEC, ADB, ERIA and UNESCAP. The Forum highlighted connectivity as a tool to achieve sustainable economic growth in Southeast Asia. It was followed by the fifth Steering Group Meeting od SEARP on 12 March 2019.